Pre-Surgery LE Therapy and Compression Garments?

Chrissera,

First, welcome! Many before me have said, Welcome to the club nobody wants to join.



Sounds to me as if you are in a FANTASTIC facility with a genuine caring Doctor. Congratulations! You will be a leader in here. Maybe bigger than that!!! The patient of a brand new generation of breast care specialists who care about the continuing quality of life for BC patients. At least you are the first one l have found in my search for answers.



You are quite correct that MANY (most of us) were not informed, worse, now our dr.s deny that their treatments are the cause and blow us off, bye-bye, Next. I have been

on a rampage after learning I have truncal LE. Meaning theres swelling in that breast, chest, back, arm, etc. I'm realizing that its been going on entirely too long, well over a year with no
answers, no treatment, as if I were imagining that it was really swollen. Thats so demeaning being told its no biggie. Nothing til now, 5 years too late.

Once developed, it is irreversable, no cure. Oh, and... It hurts.



Please add this thread to your favorites, and tell us what happens with you. I hope and pray that your experience is far more favorable and less stressful than mine has been.

Not trying to frighten you, this whole trip is scary enough. I WANTED to be informed and feel like they treated me like a child. ALL of them.



And we went to high school together, me & my BS. I keep wondering if I pissed her off in 12th grade English? Should say my former BS. Im not going back to her or that radiation Onc. Never. Ever.



So, lm still a newbie to LE and just went for a measurement session and learned that even lumpectomy/radiation patients are at risk just by the difference in volume.

The sleeve and bra or cami that creates compression keeps the at risk tissues from getting backed up with the lymph fluid that is the main means of disposal of the debris we create inside
by virtue of living. You wouldnt want your -for instance- your treated breast to swell up with lymph fluid, that sounds just gross, but thats what can happen.

Since they are treating your cancer with multiple therapies (surgery, chemo, radiation,) then there will be damage to the vessels that carry lymph fluid. They ride just below the skin. And because so many of those are located in the upper chest, neck and armpit . . cutting some out and treating a breast is practically inviting a traffic jam in the lymph vessels.



Its not hard to learn & do some preventative self-massage, add a couple of new exercises
to your routine or wear a garment that can prevent the potential LE assault on an already medically treated breast.



Wow. Just knowing you will get the information before surgery amazes me. Just go with it. That LE therapist knows a LOT more than you might think. Do all the exercises religiously, prevent, prevent, prevent.

Hi, surgery is always scary. That fear is so valid. Are you scared of the anesthesia? Or of the recovery? Possibly the results? I have had several surgical events and each was very different.

Having a surgeon cut on your breast is very scary. Talk to your BS. Ask questions. Be as prepared as possible. Knowledge is power and you are in the right place, Here, to learn some of the real potential outcomes. For my lumpectomy they took me to imaging and a long wire was placed to help guide the surgeon, that was weird but it made sense.



Of course, dr.s say everyone is different, but the procedures aren't. Ask how you can contact them after, say, on a sunday when their office is closed. If i had a do-over, l would have asked for her private number. She should have given it to me.

Plan to have someone with you for the first few days after, that seems to be the most uncomfortable time -in general.

Stock some comfort foods... Soup, freezer meals, easy to fix healthy choices.



Plan to pamper yourself, you deserve it.

Take a pillow in the car for the ride home. Every little bump in the road caused a little bounce, a pillow clutched to your chest will at least solve most bumps.



I have read where people will write on the "good side" something like DONT CUT HERE. or WRONG SIDE. It gives the team a chuckle and prevents accidents.

Do something special just for you. Extra pillows for your bed, favorite sheets. Whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable. If you have a pet, they will be concerned too, so get some dry treats for them too.



I'll be watching for you to post. Best wishes for a safe, caring experience.

Connie

Chrissera, best wishes for an uneventful surgery today and a speedy return to feeling strong. My experience with surgery is that the worry and anticipation are worse than the actual event. You will do fine, and you have a huge been-there cheering squad here, sending lots of good thoughts your way. Be sure to report back in when you are able!



Carol